New Webpage OMPNG.org

Hello missionary supporter! I am glad you are here, but you should really be here:

OMPNG.org

This is our new webpage where we have all of our stories as well as pictures and videos.

So head on over to see all of our updates. And remember, missionaries need your support, so as you are moved to give we would appreciate it if you would donate to help us bring the Gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth (also knows as PNG)!!!

God bless you all in Jesus Christ.

~Michael

Learning to Fly

The model airplane sat in a box. I kept seeing it, but never prioritized taking it out and putting it together. When I contemplated using it I had a sense of foreboding. I thought that I would surely ruin the plane by crashing it into something, probably the ground. I had never flown one before and I was reluctant.

But this changed when I considered my children growing up with memories of disappointment. They would not have misgivings about property destruction, just sadness and confusion over their father's inaction. Why did I hesitate?

I've done and built many things; I've operated many kinds of vehicles; I had a wide open field at my disposal. What was my excuse? I had none. So I took the plane out and made it fly.

And it flew, three times. And it crashed five times. But it was a success because the kids had fun watching a small toy airplane soar. For a few moments, possibilities and dreams were real.

And I had fun too.

Watch the video here 

Trying to do it all (with God's help)

Early morning business calls

Question: "So what does a 'business manager missionary' do!?
(And why should I support him?)

Well, that's a complicated question! We can't speak for other church bodies, or even other mission fields (countries) within our own church body, but we can describe the situation in our own mission field of Papua New Guinea, specifically the Highland provinces.

Back in the 1960's and early 70's, when the LCMS had as many as 100 missionary families in PNG alone, we had many specialists. There were multiple Seminary Professors, Theological Educators, Medical Doctors and Nurses, Music Directors, Business Managers, Disaster/Mercy Pilots, Construction Specialists, School Principals and Teachers, Printers, Bible School Teachers, Etc. 

Specialists who were able to do their job and if a community member needed a service that they didn't provide, they could point that person to another missionary who specialized in that need.

Fast forward to the 2000's and our church body has a grand total of 4 missionary family units on the ground in PNG. This means that each of us has to be a 'Jack of All Trades' Missionary in our area.

I shall attempt to list the many hats that Michael has worn in our short time in the field. Each of these have been done in service to the church in PNG:

Planning, purchasing, and completing various construction projects
Teaching administration, structure, and stewardship at Seminary
Conference coordinator

Roof repair

Conference presenter Translation
Pamphlet publisher (and printer and binder)
Student ID photographer
Graphic artist
Travel agent for remote pastors
Taxi service
Ambulance driver (proxy)
Counselor
Communion wine procurement
Landlord
Accountant
Political Scapegoat
Social media communication
Newsletter communication

Teaching seminary students

Fundraiser
Electrician
Solar power and generator technician
Plumber
Printer
Videographer
Mechanic
Mediator
Public Relations
Appliance (large and small) repair
Event Planner

Father and Husband

Lay 'Pastor' to his Family, Catechising them and leading Matins in the home almost daily.

Today, we are your missionaries in this place, trying to be the hands and feet of our Lord. Regardless of our training or job description, whatever needs to be done we try to do it to the best of our ability.with God's help...and yours. This is why you should support us, with your prayers, and continuing funding.

Community Appreciation Day, additional pictures

Opening Devotion via Bullhorn

You read about our Community Appreciation Day at the Seminary in PNG (If not, read it here in our newsletter). You watched the action on our YouTube Channel (if not, see it on our channel OMPNG). But you came here to see more pictures, right? Well then, allow me to dazzle you with the brilliance that is...

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY PICTURES POST!!!!! (with commentary to make it funny/not boring/so entertaining in fact, that you will share this post/we could really use more exposure and only you can help!!/no really, please share this :))

Nice lines. I wonder how they were made???

The day began by preparing the field. There were going to be a number of different events; the main ones were a variety of races and numerous volleyball games. Both required lines on the grass. I was curious to see how they were going to mark them. I thought about powdered chalk, but they don't have that here. And any kind of paper marking would soon be moved or destroyed. When I came down to the field here is what I saw:

Oil. Interesting choice.

In a way, I suppose, pouring oil on the ground is just a way of putting it back where it came from. Sort of like recycling. And the grass will grow back, I'm sure. But now we had lines and we were ready to begin. But not until we had volleyball nets put up. And here is how they did that:

Let me give you a hand. Or a foot.

With a little teamwork the nets went up. But there was still one more important thing left to do. Fill water balloons.

Team water balloon doing the hard work

I didn't count how many balloons we filled. Maybe fifty. Maybe eighty. A hundred? Sure, there could have been that many. When my fingers got tired of tying we had five large market bags full of pastel-and-primary-colored jiggly fun!! Now we just needed people.

And the people came. Slowly at first, then more and more. By the time we had run some races the field began to fill.

Nice weather. Not too hot, and the rain held off (mostly) all day

We had the competitors split into teams by clan, with the people living at or around the Seminary on its own team. So the four groups would submit a participant for each race. We had male and female races of a wide variety: 100 meter, 200 meter, sack races, 3-legged races, and wheelbarrow races. Meanwhile there were volleyball games being played at the two courts.

When the races were done, I overheard the head judge say that because we didn't have the water balloons ready they were about to begin the tug-o-war. I stepped up and declared that the balloons were, in fact, ready and we should commence tossing them. There was just one concern: No one had ever done or seen a water-balloon toss before!

And so it was that I demonstrated before the entire crowd how to perform the event. Holding a  balloon aloft I explained that it was filled, not with air, but with liquid water. I told them that if their balloon broke then that competitor team was eliminated from the competition. I had one of the judges as my partner. I had him stand directly in front of me and on the count of "three" I handed him the balloon.

No one was impressed. I had the judge take one step backwards and on the count of three he gently tossed the balloon back. Again, no big deal. I told them you had to toss it gently and catch it gently or else it would break. The judge took another step back.

Throw. Catch. Step. Repeat.

On the count of three I easily threw the balloon and the judge easily caught it. Then he took another step back. He tossed it, I caught it. Nothing broke. He took another step back. I lowered the balloon between my legs, lifted it lightly and it lobbed nicely at the judge who caught it again with no breakage. He stepped back, threw it and I caught it. He stepped back again.

By now I was beginning to think that maybe I had not filled the balloons enough. I had expected the thing to break on the third or fourth throw. Now my partner and I were many steps apart and the balloon was holding up nicely. The whole point of the demonstration was so that they could see what happened when the thing broke. But is wasn't breaking. Was the rubber too strong?

We were so far apart I had to pull the balloon to my hip and with both hands hurl the orb skyward. It sailed in a rainbow arc and descended into the waiting hands of my judge partner...and did not break. I knew what this meant...the next throw would leave me wet. He stepped back and threw, this time with increased force. I watched, hands extended, and awaited my bath.

I caught the balloon, unbroken. By now, the crowd was gasping at each throw. They were totally transfixed on two men who were throwing a water filled rubber ball at each other. There are times in your life when you reflect on the moment and wonder what in the world is going on and why no one else thinks it's strange. I had no time, however, for reflection. The judge stepped back and I prepared to throw.

He was really far away now. The previous time I had thrown as hard as I could to get him the balloon. This time I would have to summon super-human balloon throwing strength to succeed. I pulled back toward my hip, gave a slight twist to gain additional force, and spun forward to release.

The balloon broke in my hand as I threw...

But it had already begun to ascend, and so a gigantic shower of droplets sprayed the crowd gathered around the judge, and they all began shouting, elated, happy, water-covered shouts.

You do realize someone is going to get wet?

Now it was their turn and they were super-excited. We began with four teams of partners. After a few rounds we had finished with the scoring portion of the event and were ready to move on to other competitions. But there were still dozens of kids who had not yet thrown and you could see them all big-eyed with anticipation.

I told the head judge to have everyone line up and we handed out all the rest of the balloons. We had a lot left over so everyone who wanted one got one. Look at the pictures. Better yet, watch the video. There were so many happy kids laughing and throwing and getting soaked and loving it.

The rest of the day went great. The other 'big' event was the log cutting competition. Once again we had two rounds of four competitors. Each had the same kind of new axe. Wood chips were flying and the crowd was roaring.

No safety glasses? No shoes? No problem!

About the most bizarre thing I witnessed (which is saying a lot) was the event called Hot Tea Race where participants attempt to drink an entire mug of freshly-boiled tea as fast as possible. They put sugar in it, but I don't think that helps with throat burns? There is a rule that if you spill any tea you are 'out' which prevents you from spitting out the burning, hot liquid. So you are incentivized to keep it in your mouth and let it 'cool' before swallowing. Sounds great, huh?

If you are drinking hot tea, maybe take off the hoodie?

At the end of the day we gave out prizes. Speaking of prizes, we had bought a small mountain of individually-wrapped chewy candies to give out to the top three winners in each race. I had my kids fill up little bags to make them easier to give away. Here they are opening the bags, mixing them in a giant bowl and bagging them up:

I have awesome helpers!

I counted up all the points that were scored at each event and announced the top teams. Prizes were cans of soda, bags of chips, and little packs of cookies. I worried about not having enough, but everyone shared what they were given so there was plenty for everyone.

Soda and Twisties, which are exactly like Cheetos

I don't know how we are going to top this event next year, but that isn't the point. As I said in my opening devotion, "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Whether we work, worship, or play we give thanks to God for sending his son, Jesus Christ, in the flesh to suffer and die in our place that we might become children of God and live with him in heaven forever.

This event was meant to show appreciation to the community for being supportive of the work done at the Seminary, and it did that. But it was also meant to give glory to God in the way we conduct ourselves as we play and enjoy each other's fellowship. And it did that too.

God bless you all, and thank you for your continued prayers and financial support that allows us to be here serving the people in Papua New Guinea.  ~Michael

p.s. Our friends, the Boyd family (who are involved in Bible translation), were giving out free downloads of an Audio Bible and the 'Jesus' movie in the local language. What a cool thing to do!

p.p.s. To support us financially, please go to our giving page at www.lcms.org/givenow/ritzman

We're back...with answers

I think most of you follow us on Facebook. By 'us' I mean me (Michael) and Beth, or the OMPNG Facebook page. But I suspect not all of you. Also, you probably get our newsletter to your email. If you don't have email then you probably don't have a computer so you are not reading this anyway. Perhaps a friend can show you this on their device?

Anyway, just in case you're wondering what's been going on I'll tell you. We made it back to PNG in December, the day before the Seminary Graduation. Here's a picture:

Notice Region Bishop Samson taking a selfie? I think that's funny.

We were so excited to finally be back that we made a video about it:

Don't let our confused looks fool you. We were having camera issues, and a selfie stick was involved.

Then we made a video answering questions from a Sunday School class from Utah. Here it is:

We're doing more than making funny videos (at least I think they're funny (we're not trying to be (well, maybe I am, but not Beth (it just comes naturally to her (I have to work at it (you know what else is funny? (nested parenthesis))))))). We have a lot of projects lined up that will help the church, but those will be in another video/blog.

So stay tuned (or follow us on Facebook (or subscribe to our YouTube Channel (or this blog (or get our newsletter via email or mailed to your house (and definitely consider supporting us here))))).

God bless you.  ~Michael

"Put a Church here"

We received an invitation from a couple that lived far away from any churches. They asked a Pastor if he could help, who then asked me and some other church leaders to go and see exactly what they wanted. When we arrived at their house I couldn’t help but notice how much garden space they had. They brought us out to stand in the middle of their field as they explained.

“We don’t have a church anywhere near us. And we want to have a Lutheran Church, because from what we have heard, you teach the Bible the right way. And so we want you to put a Church here.” I, and others, looked around wondering where they meant. Every square foot was covered in plants and trees and buildings for sleeping, or housing animals (chickens, to be exact). Someone asked for clarification, “Where do you want us to put it?”

“Right here,” came the reply. “But we are standing in your garden,” we responded. “Yes,” they maintained, “dig up this portion, knock down that house, and put a Church here.”

I was shocked. Let me explain: In Papua New Guinea most people are subsistence farmers, which means their main food source is what they grow. So when someone is willing to give up a portion of their garden it means they must highly value the thing they are getting. In this case, they wanted a Church.

While we were talking I noticed a group of kids playing nearby. One in particular caught my attention. His face was visibly scarred and some hair was missing. I asked the mother, “Is this one of your kids?” She said it was, so I asked again what had happened. “When he was little,” she explained, “he fell into the fire.”

Standing there in the quiet of her garden I was not sure what to say. I watched the kids run off playing together. “Well,” I commented, “he looks happy.” I turned to the mother. “And since you want to put a church here, your boy will hear the good news that Jesus died for his sins. He will be baptized and in the new Heaven and new Earth we will have new bodies and see our savior face to face.”

This is the hope we have. Not in this life or the earthly treasures we so often set our hearts upon.

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
~1 Corinthians 15:57

It is my joy to serve in Papua New Guinea, but in order to continue it is necessary for me to receive adequate funding. The current LCMS ‘network support’ model requires missionaries to raise their own funds, which come from both individual donors and congregations.

Will you please join our support network and become partners with us as we ensure the Good News of Jesus’s death and resurrection for our sins is spread in PNG? The following are suggestions for donations:

Pledges or Recurring Gifts:  These gifts occur monthly but can also be quarterly or yearly. Typical giving is $20-100 monthly for individuals, but can be set at any level. These form the backbone of our support network. To establish a recurring gift go online to www.lcms.org/givenow/ritzman, or call 888-930-4438 to speak with someone at the LCMS Office of International Mission.

One-time Offerings:  These monetary gifts are given one time, or as desired. These gifts can also be done online at www.lcms.org/givenow/ritzman or by sending a check to:

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod                Mission Central

PO Box 66861                                        or      40718 Highway E16

St. Louis, MO 63166-6861                               Mapleton, IA 51034-7105

Make Checks payable to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Write ‘Ritzman-PNG’ in the memo line.

Thank you. Your support allows us to help spread the Gospel despite many difficult challenges. People are blessed, souls are saved, and God is glorified.

Email:          michael.ritzman@lcmsintl.org

Website:      ompng.blogspot.com

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ~Romans 3:23-24